Tramping and ADV riding?

**McWild** · 20th November 2014, 16:08

This seemed like the most appropriate place for the thread...

I'm getting more into my tramping at the moment (since it seems like the only way to fully explore remote places in NZ) and it seems like it would be fun to take the bike down some of the more rugged access roads, as well as a good reason to ride down one-way routes in the first place.

Does anyone have any experience with leaving bikes and gear in car parks at trailheads? I'd want to ride there in full gear and store it with the bike, but obviously this isn't at all secure. Plus while being up in a hut, someone could feasibly turn up with their trailer or ute and bugger off with the bike.

Any stories / advice to share? Cheers.

**Waihou Thumper** · 20th November 2014, 16:46

Yes, that would be your biggest worry.
I reckon the best bet would be to leave all of your gear at the DOC headquarters, hostel or something similar and then ride into the trailhead or hitch a ride, maybe leave the bike with a local farmer..
The last thing you want is the worry whilst tramping and then the long walk back to civilisation!
It was enough of a worry thinking my van, ute or car was still gonna be there after a few days in the bush...

**Tazz** · 20th November 2014, 17:21

This has been on my mind again lately. I've only done it once, and I chose a track I could stash the bike in some bushes and put my gear separately a little distance away. It was a bit of a pain in the ass to be honest.

If you're hamfisted about it and a ranger caught you pulling it out again or stashing it you'd probably get a waffle about going off track, possibly a fine? as your plates on the back. Wouldn't let that put you off, but food for thought.

For open terrain car parks, a chain and padlock would be handy and make sure your insurance is up to date...

Also North Island will be worse than South Island. The condition of easier to reach huts N vs S is a testament to that...

**R650R** · 20th November 2014, 17:27

I have trouble just turning my back on the DR for 50 metres or so to take a photo!!! Let alone leave it in the bush.
But this is in redneck Hawke's bay with lots of hillbillies on the loose out 'gardening'.

Even if you stash it, people will hear the bike coming in and it would be hard not to leave a trail.
Waihou had good idea about getting a lift in.

I must go camping soon, nearly a years insurance gone and the reason to insure it was so I could camp on remote places/beaches etc and sleep soundly!

**neels** · 20th November 2014, 17:29

Sadly, the world is full of arseholes and I wouldn't be happy leaving my bike and gear unattended for any length of time because some prick is likely to steal something, or these days set on fire or otherwise trash it just for fun.

I'm twitchy enough about leaving my car parked if I'm overnighting somewhere, and unfortunately cheap 4wd's has given the fuckwits of this world access to places that once were safe for normal people, like this for instance.....

http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/southla...oot-mavora-hut

**haydes55** · 20th November 2014, 17:29

Insurance and an AA plus membership. Worry less, most of these trails are in the middle of no where, where undesirables are less likely to chance upon your bike, chain it to a post or something.

**unstuck** · 20th November 2014, 17:34

We are going out in the morning, and plan on riding as far in the mountains as we can go, then tramping for a night or 2 to a pretty remote hut. We just leave the bikes in the bush and never had any hassles. But there are not many people that venture into the area we are heading.

**FJRider** · 20th November 2014, 18:06

Originally Posted by unstuck

... But there are not many people that venture into the area we are heading.

Therein lies the key to your "Bike Safety" ...

**Waihou Thumper** · 20th November 2014, 18:19

Originally Posted by unstuck

We are going out in the morning, and plan on riding as far in the mountains as we can go, then tramping for a night or 2 to a pretty remote hut. We just leave the bikes in the bush and never had any hassles. But there are not many people that venture into the area we are heading.

Where are you going......Huh Huh? Promise not to tell...Oh wait this is the Internet..

**dino3310** · 20th November 2014, 18:59

I head in every now and then on the bike and go tramping with a rifle in hand, normally camp with my bike and head out on day walks. pretty awesome when you can mix two passions

**pomgolian** · 20th November 2014, 22:47

Interesting thread and something i have thought about over the years which tends to hold you back from enjoying something else you want to do like tramping or fishing in my case, the world is generally a safe place NZ more so and its seems just a voice in your own head telling you not to let go. There are threads on this on the other forum one about leaving camping gear unattended worth a read.

I regularly leave my bike locked, insured, lock wire through jacket, helmet, pants and boots and will walk for hours fishing and never had a problem but always leave it out of sight. If it gets trashed or stolen which is unlikely IMO its going to be a long walk out but insured.

As long as your sensible life is too short to miss the things you enjoy through fear.